Much of this main complex was here six hundred years before Francis was born. No visit is complete without the (possibly) head-jarring peek into the tiny cave Francis was known to retreat to occassionally–and when you get out, look for the old tree carefully propped up, reputed to be the very tree holding the birds St. Francis preached to, but there is, of course, some controversy.
__________________________________________________________________________
In the caves on the slope of Monte Subasio just outside the walls of Assisi, St. Francis (1181-1226) and his followers established their first home at the Eremo delle Carceri (Carceri Hermitage). He often returned here during his life to pray and contemplate. The word Carceri is from the Latin carceres and means “isolated places” (as well as “prisons”). READ MORE
Peace and Good Things 